Rivalry is an extremely important theme in Romeo and Juliet. It's how the problems begin. In the prologue it says "Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes" Shakespeare is saying that this "ancient grudge" that these to families have will cause tragedies. So Shakespeare is basically telling us that because of the rivalry bad things are going to happen. We know that the bad things will be the death of Romeo and Juliet. This theme is so important that Shakespeare even points it out in the prologue, before we even begin the play. Rivalry is an important theme because it builds into big issues. For example with Tybalt. Tybalt starts off with a strong hate towards the Montagues. When he finds out Romeo is at the Capulet party he freaks out. He says Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe, A villain that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night. (1.5.69-71) This quote says that he can't stand having a Montague near him, and that the only reason he is their is to mock their family honnor and pride. This leads to Tybalt getting angry and next going to confront Romeo. Romeo refuses to fight so Mercutio fights and Tybalt kills Mercutio. Then Romeo kills Tybalt. All of this sparked because of the family Rivalry. It's an eye for an eye situation. If both of these families didn't have this rivalry then Romeo and Juliet would end up in a happy way. But because of Rivalry it doesn't.
Deception is also an important theme in the play. Deception is shown primarily in two events. The first is when Juliet decides to deceive everybody by making a plan to drink the poison and pretend that she is dead. After the argument with her father about marrying Paris Juliet decides to trick them so she goes along with marrying Paris. "I met the youthful lord at Lawrence's cell And gave him what becomed love I might, Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. (4.2.27-29) This quote shows how Juliet tricks her father by pretending to go along with the marriage, but really she is planning to fake her death. Another part where there is deception is when Romeo is about to kill himself. " Here's to my love! [Drinks.] O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. thus with a kiss I die. (5.3.122-123) Juliet's deception led her lover Romeo to kill himself with these final words.
These two themes together are the reason why the story is what it is. A tragedy. Rivalry between the families caused important deaths. Mercutio, Tybalt and Prince dies because of this. Both Romeo and Juliet died because of deception. " Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rest and let me die." Rivalry led Juliet to have to fake her own death. So then she deceived everyone and made Romeo believe she was dead. But Romeo couldn't live with that so he killed himself. Which led Juliet to kill herself. If there wasn't any deception Romeo and Juliet would still be alive. If there was no family Rivalry then both lovers could get married and live happily.
All in all, Romeo and Juliet has many themes. Two of the most important themes are rivalry and deception. These two themes individually are important and together the mold the story and make it what it is. If it weren' for these two themes the most famous love story would end in a more happy, and romantic way. But since these two themes were involved they ended up in a sad tragedy.
No comments:
Post a Comment